In assembly-line fashion, Lonnie and the other volunteers handed out the kits. Having spent time at the shelter, Lonnie knew some of the people there could be rough and unruly, but everyone accepted their gift graciously and offered a humble “thank you” and “God bless you.”
Altogether, three hundred, thirty-five bags were given out. Mr. Marriott told the group that he would keep the rest of the kits in his office for clients who might need them later. When they were through, he called everyone together to express his appreciation for their work.
“And I especially want to thank Lonnie Rodríguez for initiating this wonderful project,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, our clients wouldn’t have received this special blessing today.”
Everyone applauded, and Lonnie beamed with pride.
Mrs. Finley, who had been taking pictures, asked him to pose with Mr. Marriott. Lonnie then invited his dad and Mr. Treviño to join them for another photo.
He hoped his mother was looking down at him from heaven. If she was, he would like to believe that she’d be pointing at him and shouting to the angels, “Look everybody! That’s my son!”
Also by Ray Villareal
Alamo Wars
Body Slammed!
Don’t Call Me Hero
My Father, the Angel of Death
Who’s Buried in the Garden?
On the Other Side of the Bridge Page 19
